--Disease Characteristics-- Histologically proven metastatic melanoma or renal cell cancer Patients receiving melanoma peptide immunizations must be HLA-A2.1 positive Measurable disease --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Biologic therapy: At least 1 month since prior biologic therapy Chemotherapy: At least 1 month since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent systemic steroid therapy At least 1 month since prior steroid therapy Radiotherapy: At least 1 month since prior radiotherapy Surgery: Prior surgery allowed Other: Greater than 1 month since prior therapy --Patient Characteristics-- Age: Not specified Performance Status: ECOG 0-1 Life Expectancy: Greater than 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 90,000/mm3 No coagulation disorders Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.6 mg/dL AST and ALT less than 2 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No major cardiovascular disease Pulmonary: No major pulmonary disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test HIV negative Hepatitis B surface antigen negative No allergic reaction to Montanide ISA-51 No active systemic infection No prior autoimmune disorders